A sore throat refers to pain, itchiness, or irritation of the
throat. You may have difficulty swallowing food and liquids, and the pain may
get worse when you try to swallow. Throat pain is the primary symptom of a sore
throat. However, other symptoms may include:

a dry throat

swollen glands in the neck

white patches on the tonsils

hoarseness

A sore throat can affect people of all ages, but the risk of a
sore throat is higher in some people. This includes

children

smokers

people with allergies

people with a compromised immune system

Sharing a close space with others also increases the risk of
upper respiratory infections that can initially present as a sore throat.

Pictures of sore throat

Sore Throat Picture Gallery

Sore Throat Pictures

Acute Tonsilitis

Author: Pbeck at en.wikipedia Source: Wikimedia

Angina Tonsillaris

Author: Grook Da Oger Source: Wikimedia

Candidiasis

Author: Sol Silverman, Jr., D.D.S. Source: Wikimedia

Measles

Author: Steffen Bernard Source: Wikimedia

Mononucleosis

Author: Fateagued at en.wikipedia Source: Wikimedia

Mononucleosis

Author: James Heilman, MD Source: Wikimedia

Pharyngitis

Author: Dake Source: Wikimedia

Pharyngitis

Author: Braegel Source: Wikimedia

Pharyngitis

Author: Esceptic0 Source: Wikimedia

Strep Throat

Author: James Heilman, MD Source: Wikimedia

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Author: James Heilman, MD Source: Wikimedia

Tonsillitis

Author: Michaelbladon at en.wikipedia Source: Wikimedia

Tonsillitis

Author: Assianir Source: Wikimedia

Tonsillitis

Author: Salvanel Source: Wikimedia

1 of 15

Cancel

Causes of a sore throat

There are several causes of a sore throat.

Viral infection

The majority of sore throats are triggered by a viral infection.
These are infections caused by a virus, such as the cold or flu.

Other types of viral infections include:

mononucleosis, which is an infectious disease
typically transmitted through saliva

measles, which is a contagious illness
characterized by a distinct rash and fever

chickenpox, which is an infection that causes
skin sores

croup, which is an infection of the larynx

Bacterial infection

A bacterial infection can also cause a sore throat. These types
of infections include:

strep throat, which is an inflammation of the
throat caused by the Streptococcuspyogenes bacteria

diphtheria, which causes throat inflammation

whooping cough, which affects the respiratory
mucous membrane

Environmental factors

Not all sore throats are viral or bacterial. There are several
other causes of throat pain:

If you’re allergic to mold, pet dander, pollen,
or other irritants, exposure to these allergens can trigger postnasal drip.
This is when excess mucus accumulates in the back of your throat. This
accumulation can irritate your throat and cause pain or inflammation.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also cause a sore
throat. This is a digestive condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into
the esophagus. This condition causes an array of symptoms, such as:

a sore throat

hoarseness

heartburn

nausea

Other causes

In very rare cases, a sore throat may be a sign of HIV or throat
cancer.

When to see your doctor

Most sore throats don’t require medical attention. However, see
your doctor if your sore throat lasts for longer than one week and if you
experience any of the following:

difficulty breathing

joint pain

difficulty swallowing

an earache

a rash

a fever over 101˚F

bloody mucus

a lump in the throat

hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks

Find a Doctor

How is a sore throat diagnosed?

Determining the cause of your sore throat can help your doctor
treat your symptoms. Your doctor will do a physical examination and examine
your throat with a lighted instrument. They’ll look for signs of inflammation
or white patches, which might indicate strep throat. Your doctor will also feel
your neck for swollen glands and check your breathing.

Because strep throat is a common cause of sore throats, your
doctor may swab the back of your throat and examine the sample for S. pyogenes. They may also run a blood test
to determine whether you have a viral or bacterial infection.

If your doctor is unable to diagnose your sore throat, they’ll
refer you to an allergist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist. These
specialists can determine whether allergens or a throat disorder is the cause
of your sore throat.

Note that it can be difficult to diagnose a sore throat in
infants and toddlers. In this age group, refusal to eat is a common sign of
throat irritation.

How is a sore throat treated?

The treatment for a sore throat depends on the cause. However, you
can treat many sore throats at home. Home treatment options include:

gargling with warm salt water

drinking plenty of warm fluids, such as teas,
soup, and water

avoiding allergens and irritants, such as smoke
and chemicals

taking throat lozenges

reducing inflammation with ibuprofen or
acetaminophen

If a bacterial infection causes your sore throat, your doctor
will prescribe a course of antibiotics to kill the infectious organisms. You
should take your medication for 10 days or as prescribed by your doctor to
treat the bacterial infection. A sore throat may recur if you stop treatment
early.

If you have a viral infection, your doctor may want to let the
virus run its course. During that time, they may prescribe medications, such as
decongestants and pain relievers, to ease your symptoms. In some cases, your
doctor may want to try an antiviral drug to fight the virus.

How to prevent a sore throat

Many underlying causes of sore throats are infectious, and there
are certain steps that can help you prevent future infection. Repeatedly
washing your hands throughout the day kills germs and bacteria that can cause
viral and bacterial infections. Additional steps you can take to prevent a sore
throat include the following: